Peter Trego believes that, when his stellar career finally comes to a close, it is red-ball performances that he will look back on with the most pride.

After concluding his Somerset career holding a solely limited-overs contract, the all-rounder – who continued to play long format cricket in the minor counties competition with Dorset during the latter stages at Taunton – has been ever-present in the Bob Willis Trophy for Nottinghamshire so far.

Today proved to be his finest hour for the Green and Golds to date, with a three-wicket opening burst the star turn for the visitors within Leicestershire’s total of 222 all out.

I was brought up on First-Class cricket being the be-all-and-end-all,” said the 39-year-old. “I’m one of those old guys who started when T20 wasn’t even a thing.

“When I’m 65 and sat in the local pub, boring everyone about how good a cricketer I was, my four-day stats – and all the things I’ve done in red-ball cricket – will be the things I’m most proud of.

“I love white-ball cricket, don’t get me wrong, but the four-day game is a test of your skills and a test of your character.

“It’s a special format – one that separates the weak from the strong over the course of four days and over a season.

“Even though I’m 39 and have been around for a while, I still feel massively under pressure to prove to the boys that I can do the business.

“I’m buzzing that I’ve been able to force my way in to this team and I feel like my performances with the ball are starting to pick up.”

Bowling up hill and into a borderline gale force wind, Trego admitted he could have counted himself as the unfortunate attack member on day one at the Fischer County Ground, but insisted he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“There was a very strong wind and the old man pulled the short straw of bowling into it, he laughed. “But those are the challenges you have to enjoy as a bowler.

“To come out of it with three wickets, and actually feel like I was a little hard done by on the day, is probably a positive in terms of my performance.

“The bowling unit performed really well. There are a few chances we could have taken that would gave made a good day a great day, but we’re in a very good position.”

Trego has been a noticeable bundle of energy on the field during his Nottinghamshire career thus far, and the Western-Super-Marian insists his high spirits are here to stay.

“Over the course of the season, hopefully the Nottinghamshire fans will get a sense of what I’m about as a cricketer.

“You can criticise my performance, but it would be pretty harsh if anyone ever criticised my effort levels – and that goes for every day that I step on the field for my team.

“I’m loving playing for Nottinghamshire. The way the lads have welcomed me into the dressing room has been great and one thing I can assure them is that I’ll give it my level best every single day.

“If you don’t enjoy it, you probably shouldn’t be doing a privileged job like being a cricketer, so I’ll always put in maximum effort.”

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